Wardrobe Storage System

ABSTRACT

A narrow space storage system is useful for storing and displaying elongated clothing accessories. The system comprises a frame and a storage means. The storage means is movably attached to a portion of the frame, and the storage means includes a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of bracket series. Each bracket series in the plurality of bracket series comprises a plurality of brackets, and each bracket in a bracket series is positioned along a line at a different vertical and horizontal position relative to other brackets in the bracket series. In use, items hung from the brackets are thus each viewable from a side of the storage means.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to storage systems, and in particular but not onlyto wardrobe storage systems for the efficient usage of wardrobe space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional wardrobe storage arrangements fail to make efficient use ofwardrobe space. Additionally, many wardrobe items, such as belts,scarves, ties and the like, do not lend themselves to be readily storedin a conventional wardrobe format and thus often become disorganised,damaged or lost.

There is a continuing interest in providing an apparel and clothingaccessories storage system that makes more efficient use of availablewardrobe or bedroom space. Ideally, a storage system should be easy toinstall into a wardrobe or other narrow space, should compartmentalisestored items, facilitate viewing of stored items without requiringexcessive rearranging of stored items, be relatively stable, andefficiently use available storage space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved storage systemfor wardrobes, and to provide an alternative to existing wardrobestorage systems.

According to one aspect, the invention comprises a narrow space storagesystem, including: a frame; and a storage means movably attached to aportion of the frame, the storage means comprising a plurality ofreceptacles and a plurality of bracket series, where each bracket seriesin the plurality of bracket series comprises a plurality of brackets,and each bracket in a bracket series is positioned along a line at adifferent vertical and horizontal position relative to other brackets inthe bracket series, whereby in use items hung from the brackets are eachviewable from a side of the storage means.

Optionally, a bracket series in the plurality of bracket series isconnected to an end wall of the storage means.

Optionally, a bracket series in the plurality of bracket series isconnected to an arm extending downward from a bottom panel of thestorage means.

Optionally, the frame is an upper portion of a cabinet.

Optionally, the frame comprises a first end of a movable arm and thestorage means is attached to a second end of the moveable arm.

Optionally, the storage means comprises telescoping track means.

Optionally, a plurality of brackets in a bracket series are adapted tohang elongated clothing accessories including belts, ties, or scarves.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with respect tothe accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 shows a storage system with a single rail support, according tosome embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front elevation of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an alternative storage system; and

FIG. 4 shows an alternative support frame.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view illustrating a storage system in theform of a self-contained cabinet, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view illustrating the self-contained cabinetof FIG. 5 with the doors open, revealing a storage means.

FIG. 7 shows a close up perspective view of the storage means of FIG. 6,illustrating a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of bracketseries, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a further close up perspective view of the storage means ofFIG. 7, illustrating a plurality of bracket series from which aplurality of ties are shown hanging.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view illustrating a storage system in theform of a self-contained cabinet, according to still another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view illustrating the self-contained cabinetof FIG. 9 with the door open, revealing a storage means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a wardrobe storage system.Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in thedrawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary tounderstanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not toclutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious tothose of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.

In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, leftand right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are used solely todefine one element from another element without necessarily requiring aspecific relative position or sequence that is described by theadjectives. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are not used todefine an exclusive set of elements or method steps. Rather, such wordsmerely define a minimum set of elements or method steps included in aparticular embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciatedthat the invention may be implemented in a variety of ways for a varietyof wardrobes, and that this description is given by way of example only.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 displays a schematic view of astorage system for a wardrobe, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. A support frame 11 is installed inside the wardrobeand a moveable arm 12, which can extend and retract through the front ofthe wardrobe, in the direction indicated by the double headedperspective arrow 13, is represented connected to the support frame 11.A rail 17 is shown fixed perpendicular to the face of the wardrobe.Attached to the moveable arm 12 which extends and retracts from the rail17 is a storage means 14 which includes receptacles for the storage ofpersonal items. The receptacles may optionally include such means asdrawers, racks, hooks, boxes, containers and the like. The apertures ofcontainers, boxes and other compartmentalising storage receptacles maybe covered by doors, lids or flaps, or may have one or more bars acrossthe front so as to ensure the item stored therein does not fall out. Therear of the compartments may be covered by a gauze, grill, mesh or othersemi-transparent material so as to allow light in to the compartments toallow for easy viewing of objects therein. Alternatively, the rear ofthe compartments may be enclosed by a solid panel.

Referring to FIG. 2, a frame 25 of a storage system is shown fixed to ahorizontal surface 23. The horizontal surface 23 may be, for example,the ceiling of a wardrobe or the underside of a shelf. The frame 25 maybe fixed to the wardrobe by, for example, bolting the frame 25 to anunderside of a surface using a bolt 29. The frame 25 is shown fixedbetween a rear wall 22 of the wardrobe and a front 28 of the wardrobe.As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 11 may be fixed between verticalstructures in the wardrobe including a post 15. Optional features suchas hooks 26 and racks 24 also may be present on the storage device. Thefront of the receptacles may have a bar 27 extending across the front.The exemplary device shown in FIG. 2 has two drawers 21, althoughdevices may be provided with more or fewer drawers.

Referring to FIG. 3, a smaller storage system is displayedschematically. It is anticipated that the dimensions of the storagesystem can be altered in order to fit into wardrobes of varying depthand breadth. Smaller systems may be desirable in, for example, hotelwardrobes and apartment wardrobes and closets. However, larger systemsmay be desirable for household wardrobes and closets.

The wardrobe storage system can be adapted to suit the storage ofpredominantly men's accessories, such as bow ties, belts, cuff-links,socks, handkerchiefs, ties and the like, or alternatively can be adaptedto be more suitable for women's accessories such as scarves, stockings,lingerie, gloves, jewelry and the like. The storage system may alsoinclude drawers, or receptacles with doors, which may be locked tosecure valuable items or other like items that require more securestorage. A double-sided storage means is also envisaged, whereby thestorage means has a set of separate receptacles on both the front andback face of the storage means. Each side of the storage means may beidentical. That is, one side may be duplicated on the other side.Alternatively, the receptacles on each side may be different, forexample, one side may be suited for the storage of men's accessories andthe other side suitable for the storage of women's accessories. Inaddition, the storage means may have a single set of receptacles thathave front and back apertures, which are thus receptacles accessiblefrom both sides. The storage system need not solely be used to organiseadult clothing and accessories but alternatively may be adapted to achild's wardrobe and include receptacles suitable for the storage ofchildren's clothes, toys and other paraphernalia in a child's wardrobe.When the receptacles are boxes, as required covers, doors, bars or othertypes of retaining features may be added to the front of the receptaclesin order to ensure that items placed in the receptacles do not fail out.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the constituent partsof the storage system may be constructed from a range of materialsincluding metals, woods and plastics and other synthetic materials. Theconstituent parts of the wardrobe system may be hand made, machined, orpre-moulded.

Referring to FIG. 4, a storage system is represented in perspective frombehind. The system shown includes two parallel arms 41 supporting thestorage means. The storage means can slide in and out of the wardrobe,as indicated by the double-headed perspective arrow 42, through atelescopic action of the arms 41 attached to the storage means atportions 43. A grill 44 is shown covering the rear of the storage means.The grill 44 allows light to enter into the compartments of the storagemeans for easy viewing of the items therein.

Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view illustrates a storage system inthe form of a self-contained cabinet 51, according to some embodimentsof the present invention. The cabinet 51 is shown with doors 52, 53closed and with a handle 54 extending through the doors 52, 53.

Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view illustrates the self-containedcabinet 51 with the doors 52, 53 open. A storage means 61 movablyattached to a frame comprising an upper portion of the cabinet 51 isshown extending out of the cabinet 51. For example, the storage means 61can be slidably attached to the cabinet 51 using telescoping track means62.

Referring to FIG. 7, a close up perspective view of the storage means 61illustrates a plurality of receptacles 71 and a plurality of bracketseries 72, 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D, 73E, 73F, according to some embodimentsof the present invention. The receptacles 71 include open ended boxesand two drawers 76 for storing items such as T-shirts, socks, shorts andother small items. Each bracket series 72, 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D, 73E, 73Fcomprises a plurality of brackets, such as brackets 77 included in thebracket series 72. Each bracket in a bracket series is positioned alonga line at a different vertical and horizontal position relative to otherbrackets in the bracket series. For example, the brackets 77 of thebracket series 72 are positioned along a line 78, where each bracket 77extends further outward from an end wall 79 of the storage means 61 thaneach bracket 77 above. Thus, for example, if in use a different belt ishung from each bracket 77, the belts will hang stacked against the endwall 79; however, a portion of each belt will remain visible through avertical space between at least one pair of brackets 77. That enableselongated clothing accessories such as belts, ties, and scarves to bestored in a neat and compact manner, while enabling at least a portionof each accessory to be visibly inspected while stored.

Referring to FIG. 8, a further close up perspective view of the storagemeans 61 illustrates the plurality of bracket series 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D,73E, 73F from which a plurality of ties are shown hanging. As shown,there is no need for a user to shuffle through a hanging stack of tiesto find, for example, an appropriate match for a suit, because at leasta portion of each of the user's ties can be visibly inspected withouttouching or moving any of the ties.

Referring to FIG. 9, a perspective view illustrates a storage system inthe form of a self-contained cabinet 91, according to still anotherembodiment of the present invention. The cabinet 91 is shown with a door92 closed.

Referring to FIG. 10, a perspective view illustrates the self-containedcabinet 91 with the door 92 open. A storage means 101 movably attachedto an upper portion of the cabinet 91 is shown extending out of thecabinet 91.

For example, the storage means 101 can be slidably attached to thecabinet 91 using telescoping track means 102. The storage means 101includes a plurality of receptacles having a size that can be adjustedby a user. Also, a plurality of bracket series 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D isshown, where each bracket in a bracket series is connected to an arm 104extending downward from a bottom panel of the storage means 101. Thus,similar to the plurality of bracket series 72, 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D, 73E,73F, the plurality of bracket series 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D enables eachbracket in a bracket series to be positioned along a line at a differentvertical and horizontal position relative to other brackets in thebracket series. In use, at least a portion of each item hung from abracket in the bracket series 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D is viewable from aside of the storage means 101.

The above description of various embodiments of the present invention isprovided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in therelated art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerousalternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while somealternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, otherembodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those ofordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this patent specification isintended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations ofthe present invention that have been discussed herein, and otherembodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above describedinvention.

1. A narrow space storage system, comprising: a frame; and a storagemeans movably attached to a portion of the frame, the storage meanscomprising a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of bracket series,where each bracket series in the plurality of bracket series comprises aplurality of brackets, and each bracket in a bracket series ispositioned along a line at a different vertical and horizontal positionrelative to other brackets in the bracket series, whereby in use itemshung from the brackets are each viewable from a side of the storagemeans.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one bracketseries in the plurality of bracket series is connected to an end wall ofthe storage means.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein at leastone bracket series in the plurality of bracket series is connected to anarm extending downward from a bottom panel of the storage means.
 4. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the frame is an upper portion of acabinet.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprisesa first end of a movable arm and the storage means is attached to asecond end of the moveable arm.
 6. The system according to claim 1,wherein the storage means comprises telescoping track means.
 7. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of brackets in atleast one of the plurality of bracket series is adapted to hangelongated clothing accessories.
 8. The system according to claim 7,wherein the elongated clothing accessories comprise belts, ties, orscarves.